So, my husband told me he actually really likes long first names with our last name. This is a list of some of my favourite names of 3+ syllables, this list including some offbeat ones. Please let me know what you think of them, and if they're usable.

They're not ranked in any particular order of preference. Some of them I'm thinking of as middle name material, but I'd be interested to hear which you think work up front or which should be MNs only.

BoysHawthorn - Does it NEED the -e on the end? YES its the more common spelling, save your kid a lot of unnecessary grief correcting everyone his entire life.Lysander - a nice Alex alternativeGideon- love, lots of history and weightPeregrine - i think of a hobbit falcon, skip, try PercyOrion - just ok, prefer Thorif you can get past the comic book character
Iskender - go with Isander, Iskender is too much even for all the other crazy Alexander variations, plus its a kebab Thaddeus - knew someone with this name, forever ruinedAlasdair/Alastair- stair, more common, more easily understood when saidSebastian - kinda been there trended that.Emmanuel/Immanuel - i say go with E, again for easeFinnian - better than Finnigan but i hate the overly trendy and over used Finn
Elkanan/Elchanan - ElCannon? skipNaphtali - sounds pretty feminineDemetrius - a lil over the top, try DemitriHadriel - not bad
Raziel - already nixed off your girl list
Nehemya - another feminine nameZebulon - over the top, skip

August 17th, 2013, 08:21 AM

ottilie

Andromeda - Beautiful, and absolutely usable. I'm considering putting it back on my list, it's that gorgeous.Ceridwen - My lost love. This is utterly stunning, and should be used as a first name. It's so shiny and mystical.Felicia/Felicienne - I dislike Felicia (don't know why), but I adore Felicienne! It's good as a first name, but it works incredibly well as a middle, because of the French emphasis on the last syllable. CeridwenFelicienne.Gwendolen - Beautiful, I really like this name. I'm a sucker for all Gwen and -wen names, and this one's got Gwendolen Harleth from Daniel Deronda, and GwendolenFairfax from The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwyneira - Oooh, this is so super pretty and sweet. I can't imagine a little girl not loving being named Gwyneira! It's just lovely and feels like pink silk ribbons.Hypatia - Hauntingly beautiful. It's one of the most powerful namesakes ever, and the name is just delicious. I'd love it as a first.
Immanuela or Emmanuella - I prefer Emmanuelle, it's so sleek and elegant. But these two aren't bad either.Isidora - So pretty, gift of Isis! I'm not the biggest fan of -dora names, but it is adorable.Lucasta - I only think of the Lovelace poem. The name isn't bad, I just get this feeling of doom, it's dark and gloomy and conspiring.Mariposa - Sweet, very sweet. Like sugar. It's Spanish for butterfly, right?Mirabel - Pretty. I really like Mira.Morwenna - Ooooh, I love this. So so good. I'd love to see it as a first (I think you're brave enough).Rahela or Raquela - I prefer plain old Rachel. Raquela is very pretty though.Ravenna - I do think of the Italian city first. The thing is, Italian place names sound so good! Ravenna sounds like a name, there's nothing place-ish about it. I think it's very beautiful, and the city is gorgeous.Raziela - I've never liked this much, it feels very heavy to me. I'd stick it in the middle.
Ruhama/Ruchama - No, this looks and sounds wrong.
Ruxandra - Do you have Romanian blood? It feels very Romanian to me. But it's pretty, I just prefer Roxana or Alexandra.Thomasin - Pretty! Thomasin is gorgeous and adorable. Tamsin is sweet as well.Valeria - Not a big fan, but it's quite pretty.

Alasdair/Alastair - I like both. As a first or middle, both would be good.Demetrius - Very brooding, in a good way. First, please! With sister Andromeda ;).
Elkanan/Elchanan - It sounds like an electric canon or something.Emmanuel/Immanuel - Emmanuel, please. I like it, even though it sounds very religious. It's handsome.Finnian - Like, like Finnegan even more, but it's good.Gideon - Very dark and brooding. Gideon can't be a weak little leaf though.Hadriel - Interesting. Archangel? It's very nice, and magical. Sounds like sweet little silver bells.Hawthorn - Nope. It does not. I prefer Hawthorn without the -e. Like the author, but if I used it it would be for the tree.
Iskender - Nice, I like this eastern touch. I'd use it as a middle.Lysander - Swooning gorgeousness. Lysander is a good one! Love the sound, and it's so pretty. First, please! Naphtali - nice enough, but doesn't make me swoon.
Nehemya - It's got a nice enough sound, but that's all. Middle.Orion - I like this very much, but it never quite makes my list. I do love it though, and it's very usable.Peregrine - Very sexy. It works amazingly as a middle, because it's got such a different sound to so many other names, but it's brilliant as a first as well.
Raziel - I don't like this much, it's so heavy. But it's fine as a middle.Sebastian - Love this. Its on my middle list, but it's gorgeous as a first too. Sebastian is a beautiful beautiful name.Thaddeus - So clunky and cool. As long as your child is smart... I love this name so much.Zebulon - I like Zebuleon better, but it's cute. Very Biblical though, but I'm gathering that you like those names. I'd use it as a middle.

BoysHawthorn - I think I prefer the -e but I don't think it really matters either way, just what you prefer. I think it's very handsome Lysander - I love Lysander, it's awesomeGideon - i dint dislike it, but I want to love it, but can'tPeregrine - very distinguished, I like itOrion - I like Orion too
Iskender - not a fan, sorryThaddeus - nice enough but nmsAlasdair/Alastair - I don't dislike it, but it feels a bit middle-agedSebastian - I don't know why, but I've never loved sebastian, though I don't dislike it eitherEmmanuel/Immanuel - see EmmanuellaFinnian - I like this version of Finn
Elkanan/Elchanan - is this a form of Elkanah? I think I'd prefer just thatNaphtali - I've never heard if anyone using this before, but I quite like itDemetrius - love Demetrius. I'm nit sure whether I like it or Lysander moreHadriel - I prefer Hadrian
Raziel - not a fan
Nehemya - is this like Nehemiah?Zebulon - this is quite cool

Andromeda - Love, especially with the celestial connection
Immanuela or Emmanuella - Would use the E. Not my style but alright.Lucasta - Too close to Luca for my liking but not terribleRavenna - Not my style. Think of raven, ravine, and that Snow White movie (but that will be forgotten soon)Ceridwen - Love the g(wen) names including this one but will be pronunciation issues. Maiwenn is my favorite.Raziela - Too many vowels together for my likingMariposa - NMSGwendolen - Boring for a Gwen nameGwyneira - Love. She could go by the common nickname Gwyn or the uncommon but beautiful Eira. On my list.Mirabel - Dislike "bel" names but this is okay. Love plain Mira, it is our girl frontrunner (again, celestial connection)
Ruhama/Ruchama - Too odd for my likingIsidora - Better than Isabel, like that "adore" is in it, but still NMSHypatia - Best namesake EVER. But sadly, I don't think it is usable. So unusual that I think people would have trouble remembering what the name is, other than that it is very different. How about Portia?Valeria - I think valerian root and sadly agree that it also sounds like a vaginal disease. Valerie?Rahela or Raquela - NMSMorwenna - NMS. How about Maren? Mirren? Marina?Felicia/Felicienne - a happy happy name
Ruxandra - NMS, sounds made up and trying too hardThomasin - Too close to Thomas for my liking

Yep. My DH likes that it can be Mari or Posy. And I like the transformational aspect of butterflies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottilie

Ruxandra - Do you have Romanian blood? It feels very Romanian to me. But it's pretty, I just prefer Roxana or Alexandra.

I do have some, though I'm sort of an Eastern European smash-up. (Romanian, Ukrainian...etc.) I like that it can be Rue. But I do wonder if it's just making Roxana more complicated. I like Roxy but so many people have said it sounds "stripper-y" that it bummed me out. And I like the -xandra, but I cannot use Alexandra! I do think Alexandra is a wonderfully regal name, but it's out for me. I can't get any closer to Alexander than Iskender/Alastair.

Yeah, I have a thing for the obscure angel names, Hadriel, Cassiel, Raziel, Haniel, Zadkiel. They're not Biblical, they're more folklore/writings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanniekitt

Elkanan/Elchanan - is this a form of Elkanah? I think I'd prefer just that

Yes, it's a form/variant. My granddad was a Hanan, which is a diminutive of it. I like Elkan & Elkanah but they seem further away. I've known an Elchanan before but I know it's sort of a clunky/obscure/ethnic name so I'm not sure. I keep trying to convince my husband it can at least be wedged in as a middle name.

Yes, it's the Hebrew. Instead of ne-heh-MY-ah, it's ne-CHEM-ya. (the ch like in loch, not like in choo-choo train...) 3 syllables, not 4. I sorta really love it. I don't know if being shorter makes it any easier though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanniekitt

Naphtali - I've never heard if anyone using this before, but I quite like it

It's a family name for me. I've got some rather uncommon ones, lol! My DH prefers Naphtali to Elchanan. Though perhaps some would feel that's not much of a choice, haha.

I'm going to go through the suggested new names now. Thank you again, everyone!

August 18th, 2013, 04:35 AM

liviajoan

GirlsAndromeda - LOVE. Ann or Andie are pretty wearable nicknames, too.
Immanuela or Emmanuella - Not a fan of, really. Imma/Emma or Ella would be wearable, more youthful and fun nicks though.Lucasta - Not very playful or fun at all. I like Lu though.Ravenna - I honestly thought it was just a play on Raven. I think its pretty and Ray or Enna are possible nicks.Ceridwen - I have no idea how to pronounce this, still.Raziela - Same as Lucasta, except I don't know any possible nicknames.Mariposa - Interesting and kind of bouncy. I like the nickname Posy; I think that's the best part.Gwendolen - Pretty and sophisticated. Gwen isn't my favorite nickname though.Gwyneira - More uncommon version of Gwendolen, and I like the nickname Neira more than Gwen.Mirabel - I'm really tired of -bel names.
Ruhama/Ruchama - Not very playful or fun.Isidora - I haaate Dora.Hypatia - Same as Ruhama.Valeria - Val isn't a very cute nickname and Valeria always sounded like a disease to me.Rahela or Raquela - Same as Ruhama.Morwenna - Pretty and interesting. Not sure about any nicknames.Felicia/Felicienne - I've never liked Felicia, and actually prefer Felixa.
Ruxandra - I don't like -andra names. Rux is a cool start though.Thomasin - Always loved this name. Its pretty sounding with a pretty meaning. The nickname possibility is the only thing I don't like.

BoysHawthorn - I don't think it needs the "E" at the end. Its a neat name either way, but idk about nicknames.Lysander - I'm not a fan of -sander.Gideon - Neat name that always made me think of a knight.Peregrine - Very interesting but I'm not a fan.Orion - Very cool and powerful, Ori, Ri, or Rion are nicknames. It also makes me think of Titus.
Iskender - No..Thaddeus - Never liked this name.Alasdair/Alastair - Never liked this name. I think it lacks personality.Sebastian - Love this name. Strong and adventurous!Emmanuel/Immanuel - See ImmanuellaFinnian - I love Finn names!
Elkanan/Elchanan - NooooNaphtali - I have... no idea how to say this. Reminds me of Nathaniel though.Demetrius - N0000000Hadriel - Interesting? Hadley could be a nickname.
Raziel - Raz would be a cool nick.
Nehemya - sounds more feminine to me.Zebulon - Sounds like an evil intergalactic dictator.